The European Hake is not the biggest fish at Skårland Fjord, but it is one of the easier trophies to land once you know when and where to fish for it. It is a low-light predator that I take on the bottom with Lesser Sand Eel, in the early morning, from a marked spot out on the fjord. The one below was a Trophy European Hake at 5.874 kg and 101.6 cm. This guide walks through the spot, the coordinate, the rig, the bait, and the timing, so you can add this species to your collection without a lot of trial and error.
About the European Hake
The European Hake is a sleek predator that lives in the deep, cold water off the Norwegian coast. Most run between one and three kilos, though larger fish push past a metre and over ten kilos, so a Trophy is well within reach here. It holds deep, roughly between 70 and 300 metres, and it is sensitive to changing conditions. The key thing to know is that it is a low-light feeder that strikes best after dark and around dawn, and it feeds on herring, anchovies, shrimp, and mollusks. That single habit, low light, is what shapes the whole approach: fish it in the dark or early hours and it comes on, fish it in the bright middle of the day and it goes quiet.
Is the European Hake Worth Targeting?
Let me be straight about this one. The European Hake is not a big payout. My Trophy fish returned 5,314 coins and 2,420 XP, which is modest next to a Trophy Meagre from the same fjord. So this is not the fish you grind for pure money. What it is good for is steady, reliable catching in the low-light window, and for logging another species toward your Skårland Fjord collection. If you are already out here on the same rig, the hake is an easy extra rather than a trip of its own. For the heavier payouts, see my Trophy Meagre guide, which uses almost the same setup on the same water.
Where to Catch European Hake at Skårland Fjord
This is a boat catch, so take the Valkyrie or your boat of choice out onto the fjord. Head for the marked area near coordinates -1324, -2595 on the Skårland Fjord map, out from Ranvika Marina, which is where I dropped the marker and landed my Trophy. This is close to the water that also produces Meagre, so it is an efficient area to park over. Drop a marker buoy when you arrive so you can hold position and return to it. Treat the coordinate as a starting area rather than an exact pixel, since the fish moves, but this is water that has produced hake for me. Because the hake holds deep, get your rig down and keep it on the bottom.
Best Time: Early Morning and Low Light
Timing is the single most important factor with this fish. The hake feeds best in low light, which means after dark and in the early morning around dawn. I caught my Trophy at 05:36, right in that early morning window, and it lines up with both the fish’s night preference and the early peak on the activity chart. Use the Time Forward feature to reach a low-light window rather than grinding through the bright, flat part of the day. As always, one warning from the game itself: advancing to the next day sells all your fish, so use Forward Time to move a few hours within the day and keep your catch, and only take Next Day when you are done.
The Setup for European Hake
This is the same everyday Skårland workhorse I use for most bottom species, the Sigma F 200 NE SE, set up as a bottom rig. You do not need anything heavier for a fish this size. Here is the exact rig I ran for the Trophy above.
| Component | What I Used |
|---|---|
| Rod | Sigma F 200 NE SE (Saltwater Bottom Casting E-Rod) |
| Reel | Glacion 21000 SE |
| Main Line | Kaigen Fluoro 1.0 mm |
| Leader | Colorful Fluorocarbon Leader 1.2 |
| Hook | Tungsten Golden Hook #5/0 |
| Sinker | Tungsten Sinker 375 g |
| Bait | Lesser Sand Eel |
If you already fish the Meagre setup, this is nearly identical. The main change is a smaller #5/0 hook to suit the sand eel, since the hake has a smaller mouth than the bigger predators. The 375 g sinker holds the bottom in the fjord, and the fluorocarbon leader keeps things low-visibility for a fish that is sensitive to its surroundings.
Bait: Lesser Sand Eel and Alternatives
Lesser Sand Eel is what my hake took, and it is a great choice here because it is a versatile live bait that many bottom-dwelling and mid-water predators go for. It works especially well around sandy bottoms where sand eels naturally gather, and on the same rig it also tempts Cod, Coalfish, Haddock, Whiting, Common Ling, and Norway Seaperch, so you stay busy while fishing for hake.
If you want alternatives, the hake also takes Atlantic Herring, Scaled Sardines, Finger Mullets, Peeler Crab, Shrimp, Gulf Shrimp, and Giant Tiger Prawn. Any of these fresh baits is a fair option, so use what you have.
Prefer Lures? Spinning at Night
The bottom rig is my reliable approach, but the hake also responds to small, flashy lures, and it is commonly targeted with a spinning rod using a jighead and a luminous sleeve, which suits its after-dark habits perfectly. If you prefer that style, Nordic Pilkers, Fish Pilkers, Glowing Squids, Saltwater Twisters, Saltwater Slugs, and Softbaits are the lures it favours. Fishing a glowing lure in the dark is a genuinely effective alternative to sitting on bait, and it makes for a more active session.
Put it together and it is simple. Travel out to the marked area near Ranvika Marina, drop a marker buoy, and set your time to early morning or after dark. Bait up with a Lesser Sand Eel, send the bottom rig down deep, and let it sit. The hake is not a monster, so the fight is manageable, but it can be a sensitive biter, so watch for the take and set the hook cleanly. Land it, and you have another species logged.
Common Mistakes
Fishing it in daylight. The hake is a low-light feeder. Fishing the bright middle of the day is the fastest way to a slow session. Use Forward Time to reach the early morning or after-dark window.
Fishing too shallow. This is a deep-holding fish. Get your rig down and keep it on the bottom rather than working the upper water.
Expecting a big payout. The hake is a modest earner. Target it for the collection and for steady catching, not for coins. If money is the goal, fish the Meagre or the bigger species instead.
Advancing to the next day by accident. Next Day sells all your fish. Use Forward Time to move within the same day and keep your catch until you are ready to bank the trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do you catch European Hake at Skårland Fjord?
Take the boat out to the marked area near coordinates -1324, -2595, out from Ranvika Marina, drop a marker buoy, and fish a bottom rig deep on the seabed. That is the spot where I landed my Trophy European Hake, and it is close to the Meagre water.
What bait works for European Hake in Fishing Planet?
Lesser Sand Eel on a bottom rig is what I used. The hake also takes Atlantic Herring, Scaled Sardines, Finger Mullets, Peeler Crab, Shrimp, Gulf Shrimp, and Giant Tiger Prawn, so use whichever fresh bait you have.
What is the best time to catch European Hake?
Low light. The hake feeds best after dark and around dawn. I caught mine at 05:36 in the early morning. Use Forward Time to reach a low-light window, and avoid Next Day since it sells all your fish.
Can you catch European Hake with lures?
Yes. It responds to small, flashy lures and is commonly targeted with a spinning rod using a jighead and a luminous sleeve at night. Nordic Pilkers, Fish Pilkers, Glowing Squids, Saltwater Twisters, Saltwater Slugs, and Softbaits all work.
What rod and rig do you need for European Hake?
A standard saltwater bottom rod is plenty. I use the Sigma F 200 NE SE with a Glacion 21000 SE reel, fluorocarbon leader, a #5/0 hook, and a 375 g sinker, baited with Lesser Sand Eel.